I realize it’s only the third game of the pre-season, but if last night’s victory over the Denver Broncos’ is any indication, the Bears should perform well once the NFL season officially begins.
What impressed me the most about last night’s effort was that the Bears’ offense, defense and special teams all contributed to the victory. It was a well-balanced effort and one that bodes well for the rest of the season, regardless how Brett Favre and the Vikings play.
Jay Cutler also proved that he is worthy of the franchise quarterback tag that many have put on him. The five-minute, 98-yard drive to end the first half was particularly impressive and showcased his leadership skills. He may have put to rest any lingering doubts people had about the Bears trading for him. Cutler also faced a hostile crowd, but managed well despite hearing a chorus of boos. If he can handle the pressure of playing in front of an angry crowd in his former home stadium, then Cutler can handle anything that comes his way.
That said, let’s not overlook the fact that the Bears did play the Denver Broncos, which proved to be a team that’s not quite ready for the regular season. Kyle Orton, the Broncos’ starting QB, left the game in the second quarter with an injured finger on his throwing hand which could affect his play down the road.
However, the Bears still have some issues in the secondary. Denver marched down the field in the third quarter to for a quick touchdown, burning a couple of Bears’ safeties in the process. And while the offensive line is much improved over last season, will it hold up after 17 weeks? Injuries are another question mark. As long as players stay healthy, the Bears could return to the playoffs as the NFC North champs.
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFL. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Favre Finally Hangs Up His Cleats
We all knew this day would come sooner or later.
Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers future Hall-of-Fame QB and the Bears’ perennial thorn in their side, has officially announced his retirement from football today. At age 38, Favre has decided he’s had enough of the game and is moving on, leaving the sport he loves on his own terms. Here’s the official statement from Packers’ General Manager Ted Thompson about Favre’s retirement.
After a couple of sub par years in 2005 and 2006, he made quite a comeback in 2007, leading his team to a division title in the NFC North and into the NFC title game, which they lost to the New York Giants. Being the competitor that he is, you’d figure Favre would want to leave the game on a high note – and he did.
I won’t go into all the details of how Favre has contributed to this sport. His records speak for themselves, but you can see for yourself on the Packers tribute page.
I think I will always remember Favre as a tough competitor who never gave up. His drive, grit and determination on the field made him special to watch. His cannon arm wasn’t so bad either.
Packers’ fans and the league will certainly miss Favre. Bears fans may not want to admit it, but they will miss him too.
Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers future Hall-of-Fame QB and the Bears’ perennial thorn in their side, has officially announced his retirement from football today. At age 38, Favre has decided he’s had enough of the game and is moving on, leaving the sport he loves on his own terms. Here’s the official statement from Packers’ General Manager Ted Thompson about Favre’s retirement.
After a couple of sub par years in 2005 and 2006, he made quite a comeback in 2007, leading his team to a division title in the NFC North and into the NFC title game, which they lost to the New York Giants. Being the competitor that he is, you’d figure Favre would want to leave the game on a high note – and he did.
I won’t go into all the details of how Favre has contributed to this sport. His records speak for themselves, but you can see for yourself on the Packers tribute page.
I think I will always remember Favre as a tough competitor who never gave up. His drive, grit and determination on the field made him special to watch. His cannon arm wasn’t so bad either.
Packers’ fans and the league will certainly miss Favre. Bears fans may not want to admit it, but they will miss him too.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Grossman-Berrian Connection Must Stay in Tact
The Bears re-signed QB Rex Grossman to a one-year deal worth $3 million plus incentives on Saturday, which is good news or bad news depending on whether you’re a Grossman supporter or not. The good news is the Bears have not given up completely on Grossman. But a short-term deal only says the much-maligned QB must play with greater consistency if he wants to stay beyond next season. The bad news is that fans have to put up with this story line for yet another year.
But even though Grossman is signed, it means nothing if the Bears don’t re-sign wide receiver Bernard Berrian, who is also a free agent. Together, Grossman and Berrian make up one of the most electric pass play combinations in the NFL. The team needs to have both in the fold if they are going to see any kind of success in the passing game next year.
But even though Grossman is signed, it means nothing if the Bears don’t re-sign wide receiver Bernard Berrian, who is also a free agent. Together, Grossman and Berrian make up one of the most electric pass play combinations in the NFL. The team needs to have both in the fold if they are going to see any kind of success in the passing game next year.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Patriot Games: Is New England Spying on the Competition?
With everything that has been happening in the world of sports this year — Michael Vick’s dog fighting allegations, NBA referees charged with gambling, ongoing debates about steroid use in baseball — I probably shouldn’t be too surprised to find out that an NFL team may have violated league rules that ban videotaping of the opponents’ sidelines. I just never thought the New England Patriots, arguably one of the best teams in the NFL during the past decade, would be the culprit.
The NFL is investigating several reported incidents involving the New England Patriots’ use of video cameras to “steal” signals from opposing team coaches on the sidelines.
The most recent incident occurred Sunday when NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape from a Patriots’ employee during their game against the New York Jets. Last season, a similar incident occurred when the Green Bay Packers complained to the league when they noticed a man with a Patriots’ staff credential was carrying a video camera on their sideline.
Earlier this week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick about his “interpretation” of the league’s rules, and an ESPN.com reported that Goodell feels the Patriots did violate the videotaping ban. The NFL is expected to rule on the incident on Friday.
It’s understandable that any team or athlete would want to gain some kind of competitive advantage over his opponent, but a team as deeply talented as the Patriots shouldn’t need to resort to those tactics. Yet if these allegations are true, what do these actions say about their team and coaching staff? Are the Patriots insecure about the talent on their team or are they simply playing head games with the NFL and the other teams in the league?
The NFL is investigating several reported incidents involving the New England Patriots’ use of video cameras to “steal” signals from opposing team coaches on the sidelines.
The most recent incident occurred Sunday when NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape from a Patriots’ employee during their game against the New York Jets. Last season, a similar incident occurred when the Green Bay Packers complained to the league when they noticed a man with a Patriots’ staff credential was carrying a video camera on their sideline.
Earlier this week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick about his “interpretation” of the league’s rules, and an ESPN.com reported that Goodell feels the Patriots did violate the videotaping ban. The NFL is expected to rule on the incident on Friday.
It’s understandable that any team or athlete would want to gain some kind of competitive advantage over his opponent, but a team as deeply talented as the Patriots shouldn’t need to resort to those tactics. Yet if these allegations are true, what do these actions say about their team and coaching staff? Are the Patriots insecure about the talent on their team or are they simply playing head games with the NFL and the other teams in the league?
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Bears Release Tank Johnson
Chicago Bears’ released defensive tackle Tank Johnson on Monday following his arrest in Arizona last week for speeding and suspicion of drunk driving. The arrest proved to be the final straw for the Bears who have given the beleaguered Johnson the benefit of the doubt since he started having off-field problems and run-ins with the law two years ago.
* In 2005, Johnson was arrested and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for possession of a handgun.
* Last December when police raided his suburban Chicago home, they found six unregistered guns, which was a violation of his 2005 arrest.
* In March, he served 60 days in jail for violating his probation on the weapons charge.
* Earlier this month, the NFL suspended Johnson eight games for the upcoming season for violating its personal conduct policy.
When Johnson was released from jail in May, he claimed he had turned a corner in his personal life and was going to do everything he could to be a model NFL player and citizen. “We are upset and embarrassed by Tank’s actions last week,” Bears’ GM Jerry Angelo said in a statement released by the team. “He compromised the credibility of our organization. We made it clear to him that he had no room for error.”
Some athletes never learn.
* In 2005, Johnson was arrested and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for possession of a handgun.
* Last December when police raided his suburban Chicago home, they found six unregistered guns, which was a violation of his 2005 arrest.
* In March, he served 60 days in jail for violating his probation on the weapons charge.
* Earlier this month, the NFL suspended Johnson eight games for the upcoming season for violating its personal conduct policy.
When Johnson was released from jail in May, he claimed he had turned a corner in his personal life and was going to do everything he could to be a model NFL player and citizen. “We are upset and embarrassed by Tank’s actions last week,” Bears’ GM Jerry Angelo said in a statement released by the team. “He compromised the credibility of our organization. We made it clear to him that he had no room for error.”
Some athletes never learn.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Broadcast Boot Camp
Have you ever watched a football telecast with a former player doing commentary or analysis for the first time? They twitch nervously on screen while words come stammering out of their mouths like volcanic lava. Most former players making the transition to the broadcast booth have little or no broadcast training. For some former players, it can be more intimidating to face a little red light on top of a TV camera than it is facing a 300-lb. linebacker on the football field.
The NFL has introduced a new program that might change that, reports the New York Times. Known as broadcast boot camp, the program is an intensive three-day off-season seminar in which current and former players go through a series of training sessions led by top executives, producers and on-air personalities on how to analyze films and work more comfortably in front of the TV camera. The program is one of several that the league and the players’ union have introduced to help players transition into life after football.
Former Eagles’ QB Ron Jaworski, now with ESPN, said in the Times article, that he wished there was a broadcast boot camp when he retired from football. “The things these guys are going to learn in three days, I learned in three years,” he said.
It’s a great idea and long overdue, not just for the NFL but also for other major sports. Most athletes love the idea of doing broadcast work but don’t have the proper training to succeed. Some do it anyway without any training, and the result is awful. If more sports leagues provided this kind of training, more athletes would be better prepared to provide lively, insightful and entertaining analysis of sports events that would be worth watching.
The NFL has introduced a new program that might change that, reports the New York Times. Known as broadcast boot camp, the program is an intensive three-day off-season seminar in which current and former players go through a series of training sessions led by top executives, producers and on-air personalities on how to analyze films and work more comfortably in front of the TV camera. The program is one of several that the league and the players’ union have introduced to help players transition into life after football.
Former Eagles’ QB Ron Jaworski, now with ESPN, said in the Times article, that he wished there was a broadcast boot camp when he retired from football. “The things these guys are going to learn in three days, I learned in three years,” he said.
It’s a great idea and long overdue, not just for the NFL but also for other major sports. Most athletes love the idea of doing broadcast work but don’t have the proper training to succeed. Some do it anyway without any training, and the result is awful. If more sports leagues provided this kind of training, more athletes would be better prepared to provide lively, insightful and entertaining analysis of sports events that would be worth watching.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Does The World Need Another Football League?
A group of investors, including Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban, is considering the formation of a new football league to begin playing as early as next summer, according to Reuters and the New York Times. Wall Street investor Bill Hambrecht came up with the plan along with Cuban and Google Inc. exec Tim Armstrong. The United Football League would consist of eight teams located in markets that currently do not have teams, such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Mexico City. Games would be played on Friday nights, so they would not conflict with NFL games. The new league would compete with the NFL for players drafted below the second round in the NFL draft. Free agents and players who were cut from their NFL teams would make up the remainder of the roster.
“We think there is more demand for pro football than supply,” Cuban was qhoted in the Times. That may be true, but new leagues have formed in the past with little success. I doubt the UFL will get past one or two seasons, if they’re lucky. Besides, what’s wrong with the NFL that we have now? If fans need a football fix when the NFL season ends, they can tune in to the CFL (Canadian football), the AFL league, which plays its games through the spring, and several women’s leagues — the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL), National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) and the Women’s Professional Football League (WPFL). Okay, so maybe the women’s leagues aren’t exactly in the same, well, league, as the NFL, CFL and AFL, they’re still football. In any case, there seems to be enough football leagues already. Does the world really need another one?
“We think there is more demand for pro football than supply,” Cuban was qhoted in the Times. That may be true, but new leagues have formed in the past with little success. I doubt the UFL will get past one or two seasons, if they’re lucky. Besides, what’s wrong with the NFL that we have now? If fans need a football fix when the NFL season ends, they can tune in to the CFL (Canadian football), the AFL league, which plays its games through the spring, and several women’s leagues — the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL), National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) and the Women’s Professional Football League (WPFL). Okay, so maybe the women’s leagues aren’t exactly in the same, well, league, as the NFL, CFL and AFL, they’re still football. In any case, there seems to be enough football leagues already. Does the world really need another one?
Friday, May 11, 2007
NFL Considering 17- Game Schedule
The NFL says it is considering adding one more week to its already lengthy regular-season schedule, bringing the total number of games to 17, according to the Associated Press. The extra game, which would replace a preseason game, would be played outside the United States either in England, Germany, Mexico or Canada. Every team will play one game abroad without affecting its regular home/away schedule.
While one game is already set for the 2007 season — Miami vs. the New York Giants at London’s Wembley Stadium -- the new schedule won’t go into effect until 2009 or 2010. The scheduling logistics could be affected in one of three ways:
1) Open the season on Labor Day weekend, which for some reason, the league has avoided in recent years.
2) Push the Superbowl to the second week of February.
3) Keep the Superbowl in its regular place in the schedule but eliminate the week between the conference title games and the Superbowl.
Interesting concept. The NFL has been considering international expansion for several years, but I worry that the season is already too long. On the other hand, it makes sense to eliminate one of the preseason games though. By the fourth preseason game, the players are anxious to start playing games for real and the coaches have a good idea which players will be on their squads. I say start the games Labor Day weekend and take advantage of the warmer weather.
While one game is already set for the 2007 season — Miami vs. the New York Giants at London’s Wembley Stadium -- the new schedule won’t go into effect until 2009 or 2010. The scheduling logistics could be affected in one of three ways:
1) Open the season on Labor Day weekend, which for some reason, the league has avoided in recent years.
2) Push the Superbowl to the second week of February.
3) Keep the Superbowl in its regular place in the schedule but eliminate the week between the conference title games and the Superbowl.
Interesting concept. The NFL has been considering international expansion for several years, but I worry that the season is already too long. On the other hand, it makes sense to eliminate one of the preseason games though. By the fourth preseason game, the players are anxious to start playing games for real and the coaches have a good idea which players will be on their squads. I say start the games Labor Day weekend and take advantage of the warmer weather.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Chalk One Up for Da Coach
Last week, former Bears’ head coach Mike Ditka announced he sold his 1975 NFC championship ring for $12,000 in an online auction to raise money to assist former NFL players who have become disabled. Ditka, and Jerry Kramer, who both played for the Dallas Cowboys during the 1975 championship season, believe that the NFL isn’t doing enough to help these players.
It looks like Ditka’s emotional announcement made an impact. Earlier this week the NFL and the players’ association announced the formation of 88 Plan, a joint effort to provide funding to families of former players with dementia to help pay for their care and treatment. So far, families of 22 former players who are suffering from dementia have been designated to receive the benefit.
This seems like a great start for the program, but it’s a shame that the NFL did not have a program in place already. It took a couple of high-profile players like Ditka and Kramer to make the public aware that former players need help. In today’s sports world ruled by ego-driven players with mega-million dollar salaries, we often forget that the old-timers who played in the 1960s and 1970s didn’t have the same benefits and advantages that today's players have. At this point, we don't even know how many ex-players are affected.
While I think it's admirable that the league and players union are finally doing something to help former players, I also wonder if it presents questions than it solves. How much financial support is enough? Who gets the support and who doesn't? And will today’s players expect similar treatment in the future?
It looks like Ditka’s emotional announcement made an impact. Earlier this week the NFL and the players’ association announced the formation of 88 Plan, a joint effort to provide funding to families of former players with dementia to help pay for their care and treatment. So far, families of 22 former players who are suffering from dementia have been designated to receive the benefit.
This seems like a great start for the program, but it’s a shame that the NFL did not have a program in place already. It took a couple of high-profile players like Ditka and Kramer to make the public aware that former players need help. In today’s sports world ruled by ego-driven players with mega-million dollar salaries, we often forget that the old-timers who played in the 1960s and 1970s didn’t have the same benefits and advantages that today's players have. At this point, we don't even know how many ex-players are affected.
While I think it's admirable that the league and players union are finally doing something to help former players, I also wonder if it presents questions than it solves. How much financial support is enough? Who gets the support and who doesn't? And will today’s players expect similar treatment in the future?
Sunday, February 11, 2007
The "Who Cares?" Bowl
Maybe the NFL Pro Bowl should be renamed to the "Who Cares?" Bowl. Honestly, after last week's Super Bowl hype, who really watches the Pro Bowl? As much as I love football, I usually skip watching the Pro Bowl. I'm ready to move on to other sports.
Is it any wonder that some players decide to skip the game altogether? Bears' linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs did so, citing injuries they re-aggravated in the Super Bowl last weekend. By February, these players just want to get home to their families and prepare for next season.
Why is the Pro Bowl played at the end of the season anyway? To generate more interest in the Pro Bowl, why not give all the teams a bye week in early or mid November rather than staggered bye weeks throughout the season. While most of the teams rest, the all-stars play in athe Pro Bowl, just like the players participate in the NHL, NBA and MLB All-Star Games. Why wait til the end of the season when most people don't care about it?
To make things more interesting, why not do as MLB did, make the game mean something. Play for home field advantage in the Super Bowl. With something at stake, more players may be inclined to play, and more fans may decide to watch.
Is it any wonder that some players decide to skip the game altogether? Bears' linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs did so, citing injuries they re-aggravated in the Super Bowl last weekend. By February, these players just want to get home to their families and prepare for next season.
Why is the Pro Bowl played at the end of the season anyway? To generate more interest in the Pro Bowl, why not give all the teams a bye week in early or mid November rather than staggered bye weeks throughout the season. While most of the teams rest, the all-stars play in athe Pro Bowl, just like the players participate in the NHL, NBA and MLB All-Star Games. Why wait til the end of the season when most people don't care about it?
To make things more interesting, why not do as MLB did, make the game mean something. Play for home field advantage in the Super Bowl. With something at stake, more players may be inclined to play, and more fans may decide to watch.
Monday, January 15, 2007
No Clear Winner in NFL Playoffs
If anything can be learned from this weekend’s NFL playoff matchups, it’s that there is no clear, dominant team heading into the NFC and AFC championships. A few other observations about the playoffs:
1) The Bears' much-maligned QB Rex Grossman is a very good quarterback. Despite fans’ fears, Grossman played well on Sunday en route to a 27-24 Bears’ victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He completed 21 of 38 passes with one touchdown and one interception for a 76.9 passer rating – respectable by most NFL standards. He did make a few mistakes, especially when he was blitzed by the Seahawks. But he also made some excellent plays, including a stunning 68-yard TD pass to Bernard Berrian and a gutsy 30-yard pass to Rashied Davis on 3rd and 10 in overtime to put the Bears in field goal range. Did he turn a corner? Maybe. Maybe not. But he did Chicago proud, and he played no worse than the Colts’ Peyton Manning and the Patriots’ Tom Brady, who both had subpar performances in their games. Manning completed 15 of 30 passes for 170 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions; Brady was 27 of 51 for 280 yards with two TDs and three interceptions. That proves that even the best quarterbacks in the league can have an occasional bad game. No doubt, Grossman will have his bad days too – most quarterbacks invariably do – but he is also capable of holding his own against the best of them.
2) Place kickers are the most underrated and mentally tough players on the team. The two playoff games on Sunday were decided by last-second field goals. The Chargers missed a 54-yarder that would have tied the game against the Patriots, and Robbie Gould of the Bears hit two down the stretch – a 41-yarder to tie the game late in the fourth quarter and the game-winning 49-yarder in overtime. You would think it would be simple to just swing your foot and kick the football as far as you can through the goal posts. But if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines for most of the game in freezing cold temperatures, and then be called on late in the game when the game is on the line requires a great deal of mental toughness. The Bears’ Gould proved how tough he can be in the clutch.
3) Defense wins games, but not necessarily by the best defensive teams. The Baltimore Ravens were clearly the best defensive team in the NFL this season, but it was the Colts who surprised the Ravens, fans, and probably themselves with their own defense. The Ravens may have held the Colts to no touchdowns and five field goals, but the Colts outplayed them, holding the Ravens to only two field goals.
4) There is no dominant team, no clear winner as we saw when the 1985 Bears won Super Bowl XX. Each of the final four teams has their strengths and weaknesses. Certainly, you have to give an edge to the Patriots who are making their fourth trip to the AFC Championship game in the last six years, and Tom Brady knows how to win. I like the Saints too; they seem to be this year’s “team of destiny.” After everything that team and the city of New Orleans have gone through since Hurricane Katrina, it would almost seem like a divine justice for the Saints to earn a trip to the Super Bowl in Miami – and win it all. The Saints have a lot of offensive weapons, an underrated defense, and solid coaching. I predicted a couple of weeks ago that the Bears will not win the NFC title game. As a Bears’ fan, I hope I’m wrong. I’d love to see the Bears make the trip to Miami. But I also have to be realistic. The Bears’ defense has a lot of holes in it, and if the Saints manage to find those holes, it may be a long afternoon for the Bears.
1) The Bears' much-maligned QB Rex Grossman is a very good quarterback. Despite fans’ fears, Grossman played well on Sunday en route to a 27-24 Bears’ victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He completed 21 of 38 passes with one touchdown and one interception for a 76.9 passer rating – respectable by most NFL standards. He did make a few mistakes, especially when he was blitzed by the Seahawks. But he also made some excellent plays, including a stunning 68-yard TD pass to Bernard Berrian and a gutsy 30-yard pass to Rashied Davis on 3rd and 10 in overtime to put the Bears in field goal range. Did he turn a corner? Maybe. Maybe not. But he did Chicago proud, and he played no worse than the Colts’ Peyton Manning and the Patriots’ Tom Brady, who both had subpar performances in their games. Manning completed 15 of 30 passes for 170 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions; Brady was 27 of 51 for 280 yards with two TDs and three interceptions. That proves that even the best quarterbacks in the league can have an occasional bad game. No doubt, Grossman will have his bad days too – most quarterbacks invariably do – but he is also capable of holding his own against the best of them.
2) Place kickers are the most underrated and mentally tough players on the team. The two playoff games on Sunday were decided by last-second field goals. The Chargers missed a 54-yarder that would have tied the game against the Patriots, and Robbie Gould of the Bears hit two down the stretch – a 41-yarder to tie the game late in the fourth quarter and the game-winning 49-yarder in overtime. You would think it would be simple to just swing your foot and kick the football as far as you can through the goal posts. But if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines for most of the game in freezing cold temperatures, and then be called on late in the game when the game is on the line requires a great deal of mental toughness. The Bears’ Gould proved how tough he can be in the clutch.
3) Defense wins games, but not necessarily by the best defensive teams. The Baltimore Ravens were clearly the best defensive team in the NFL this season, but it was the Colts who surprised the Ravens, fans, and probably themselves with their own defense. The Ravens may have held the Colts to no touchdowns and five field goals, but the Colts outplayed them, holding the Ravens to only two field goals.
4) There is no dominant team, no clear winner as we saw when the 1985 Bears won Super Bowl XX. Each of the final four teams has their strengths and weaknesses. Certainly, you have to give an edge to the Patriots who are making their fourth trip to the AFC Championship game in the last six years, and Tom Brady knows how to win. I like the Saints too; they seem to be this year’s “team of destiny.” After everything that team and the city of New Orleans have gone through since Hurricane Katrina, it would almost seem like a divine justice for the Saints to earn a trip to the Super Bowl in Miami – and win it all. The Saints have a lot of offensive weapons, an underrated defense, and solid coaching. I predicted a couple of weeks ago that the Bears will not win the NFC title game. As a Bears’ fan, I hope I’m wrong. I’d love to see the Bears make the trip to Miami. But I also have to be realistic. The Bears’ defense has a lot of holes in it, and if the Saints manage to find those holes, it may be a long afternoon for the Bears.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Payton Named Coach of the Year
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was named the AP Coach of the Year after leading the team to a 10-6 record and a first-round bye in the NFL playoffs. Really, there was no other choice.
After Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints out of New Orleans before the 2005 season, the team split their home games between Baton Rouge and San Antonio. QB Drew Brees joined the team before the 2006 season, and in early October, the Saints returned home to the Superdome. The Saints surprised most experts by winning their division and making the postseason.
After Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints out of New Orleans before the 2005 season, the team split their home games between Baton Rouge and San Antonio. QB Drew Brees joined the team before the 2006 season, and in early October, the Saints returned home to the Superdome. The Saints surprised most experts by winning their division and making the postseason.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Bears Ring in New Year in Prime Time
There's nothing that says "Happy New Year" like a good old-fashioned Bears-Packers game. The NFL and NBC announced that next week’s New Year’s Eve showdown between the Bears and Packers has been moved to Sunday night beginning at 7:15 p.m. at Soldier Field. Yes, it may be Brett Favre’s final game, which is probably why this game was chosen as the Sunday night game of the week. Bears fans are split on whether this move is a good thing, since it may interfere with their New Year’s Eve plans. Some love it as a way to spend New Year’s Eve. Others had made plans and are forced to make a choice about which event to attend. The best comment I saw appeared on the Chicago Tribune Web site where one fan wrote, “Look at it this way. It’s one way to get Tank Johnson out of the bars on New Year’s Eve.”
Traffic in downtown Chicago will be a mess as many party goers will be heading downtown. But as a Bears fan, I love the idea. I’ll be at a friend’s apartment ringing in the New Year, but as she is not a sports fan, I know I will have to beg her to have the TV on. Go Bears!
Traffic in downtown Chicago will be a mess as many party goers will be heading downtown. But as a Bears fan, I love the idea. I’ll be at a friend’s apartment ringing in the New Year, but as she is not a sports fan, I know I will have to beg her to have the TV on. Go Bears!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
The NFL Is Looking for a Few Good Women
At a Reuters Media Summit earlier this week, officials from the National Football League said they want to woo more women viewers to the sport, but are still working out the best strategy to do so. Women sports fans, the NFL found, wanted marketing that appealed to their interests but did not make them feel that they were being treated differently than men.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says that this is a very big initiative for the league. “(Women) fans want to be treated as real fans because they love the game and they understand the game, and they want to have the opportunity to experience the game just as anyone else does.”
According to the NFL’s market research, women make up approximately 40 percent of the viewing audience for the Super Bowl, but the broadcasts failed to speak to the female viewers. That’s because most of the TV ads broadcast during the event are for autos, beer and electronics and often filled with humor directed at young men.
The NFL is playing it smart. With more women holding down full-time careers and managing the family’s finances, it makes sense for the league to appeal to their advertising dollars. The danger I see is in “feminizing” telecasts or advertising too much. It’s important to keep the car and beer ads — women buy these items too — but advertisers need to create ads that will appeal to both sexes. As for the football telecasts, don’t change a thing. Women will tune in simply because they love the game or they have loyalty to a certain team.
The NFL can learn from NASCAR, which has built its marketing strategy of attracting women fans by promoting its stock car races as events for the entire family. In fact, I think the key to creating a more balanced fan base for any sport is to promote it as family entertainment. That way you have a pipeline of fans, for the present and for the future. Families tend to share their sporting interests through the generations. If a parent is a Cub fan, chances are their kids will grow up to be Cub fans too.
Now if we can only figure out how to draw more male fans to sports that women traditionally enjoy, such as figure skating and gymnastics.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says that this is a very big initiative for the league. “(Women) fans want to be treated as real fans because they love the game and they understand the game, and they want to have the opportunity to experience the game just as anyone else does.”
According to the NFL’s market research, women make up approximately 40 percent of the viewing audience for the Super Bowl, but the broadcasts failed to speak to the female viewers. That’s because most of the TV ads broadcast during the event are for autos, beer and electronics and often filled with humor directed at young men.
The NFL is playing it smart. With more women holding down full-time careers and managing the family’s finances, it makes sense for the league to appeal to their advertising dollars. The danger I see is in “feminizing” telecasts or advertising too much. It’s important to keep the car and beer ads — women buy these items too — but advertisers need to create ads that will appeal to both sexes. As for the football telecasts, don’t change a thing. Women will tune in simply because they love the game or they have loyalty to a certain team.
The NFL can learn from NASCAR, which has built its marketing strategy of attracting women fans by promoting its stock car races as events for the entire family. In fact, I think the key to creating a more balanced fan base for any sport is to promote it as family entertainment. That way you have a pipeline of fans, for the present and for the future. Families tend to share their sporting interests through the generations. If a parent is a Cub fan, chances are their kids will grow up to be Cub fans too.
Now if we can only figure out how to draw more male fans to sports that women traditionally enjoy, such as figure skating and gymnastics.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
All Quiet on the Sidelines
I always thought it would be fun to be a sideline reporter for a football or baseball game – to be closer to the action on the field, interview players and coaches and be a part of a live televised sporting event.
While sideline reporters have become commonplace on most network broadcasts, particularly ESPN, it’s been all but eliminated on CBS, according to a report on Chicago Tribune. After Bonnie Bernstein left the network after last season, CBS decided not to replace her. So there has been no sideline reporter for NFL games on CBS this season.
CBS Sports President Sean McManus says the move is intended to put the focus back on the broadcasters in the booth. He added that his crews have access to the same information as the sideline reporters and get all the information they need from the NFL and the teams. “To hear a sideline reporter say something the analyst also has access to, we thought that takes away from the overall presentation. If I want to hear a perspective on the game, I’d prefer to hear it from Phil Simms than a sideline reporter.”
Bernstein says the first inclination is to take it personally, but “ultimately, you have to view it as a business decision. A good sideline reporter, if you keep your eyes and ears open, can offer some valuable insights,” she says.
McManus thinks most viewers have not noticed. He’s probably right. I know I haven’t noticed, but then I watch most of the pro games on Fox.
While sideline reporters have become commonplace on most network broadcasts, particularly ESPN, it’s been all but eliminated on CBS, according to a report on Chicago Tribune. After Bonnie Bernstein left the network after last season, CBS decided not to replace her. So there has been no sideline reporter for NFL games on CBS this season.
CBS Sports President Sean McManus says the move is intended to put the focus back on the broadcasters in the booth. He added that his crews have access to the same information as the sideline reporters and get all the information they need from the NFL and the teams. “To hear a sideline reporter say something the analyst also has access to, we thought that takes away from the overall presentation. If I want to hear a perspective on the game, I’d prefer to hear it from Phil Simms than a sideline reporter.”
Bernstein says the first inclination is to take it personally, but “ultimately, you have to view it as a business decision. A good sideline reporter, if you keep your eyes and ears open, can offer some valuable insights,” she says.
McManus thinks most viewers have not noticed. He’s probably right. I know I haven’t noticed, but then I watch most of the pro games on Fox.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Bears’ House of Horrors
Two days before Halloween, the Chicago Bears showed once again why Soldier Field has become a “house of horrors” for opposing teams. The Bears crushed the hapless San Francisco 49ers 41-10 Sunday to remain unbeaten at 7-0. They scored all 41 of their points before half time, tying their team record for most points in one half. The game was essentially over within the first five minutes after the Bears drove down the field on their first possession for a field goal, then scored a quick touchdown after recovering a fumble on the ensuing kickoff.
Next week, the Miami Dolphins come to town and will most likely face a similar fate as the 49ers.
In four home games this season, the Bears' margins of victory have been 27, 31, 33 and 31 points. Quarterback Rex Grossman also seems to like playing on the home turf. He has completed close to 66 percent of his passes for 955 yards, 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 124 passing rating. In three road games, he has thrown for only 684 yards, two TDs and seven interceptions for a 51.9 passer rating.
NFC teams better hope that the Bears do not get home field advantage during the playoffs. Imagine having to go to Soldier Field to play the Bears in January. No team will come out of the Bears “house of horrors” alive!
Next week, the Miami Dolphins come to town and will most likely face a similar fate as the 49ers.
In four home games this season, the Bears' margins of victory have been 27, 31, 33 and 31 points. Quarterback Rex Grossman also seems to like playing on the home turf. He has completed close to 66 percent of his passes for 955 yards, 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 124 passing rating. In three road games, he has thrown for only 684 yards, two TDs and seven interceptions for a 51.9 passer rating.
NFC teams better hope that the Bears do not get home field advantage during the playoffs. Imagine having to go to Soldier Field to play the Bears in January. No team will come out of the Bears “house of horrors” alive!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Bomb Scare Just a Hoax
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